MICHAEL RYDELNIK AND TIM M. SIGLER
OUTLINE
The chiastic structure (see above on Unity and Structure) of the Song reflects a subtle “beginning-middle-end” arrangement, progressing from courtship (A, B, C), to wedding (D), to the maturing of the marriage (C’ B’ A’). The outline below reflects that view of the structure, and is the one on which this commentary is based.
Introduction
I. Courtship: the Beginning of the Relationship (1:1–3:5)
A. Introduction of Solomon and the Shulammite (1:1-11)
1. Superscription: Song of Solomon (1:1)
2. The Shulammite (cf. 6:13) Longs for Solomon (1:2-4)
3. The Shulammite Is Insecure about Her Beauty (1:5-7)
4. The Shulammite Is Praised by Solomon (1:8-11)
B. Growth of Love between Solomon and the Shulammite (1:12–3:5)
1. The Shulammite and Solomon Describe and Praise One Another (1:12–2:6)
2. The Refrain of Warning to the Daughters of Jerusalem (2:7)
3. The Shulammite and Solomon in the Country (2:8-17)
4. The Shulammite’s Fear of Losing Solomon (3:1-4)
5. The Refrain of Warning to the Daughters of Jerusalem (3:5)
II. Wedding: the Consummation of the Relationship (3:6–5:1)
A. The Wedding Procession (3:6-11)
B. The Wedding Night (4:1–5:1)
1. The Beauty of the Shulammite, the Bride (4:1-7)
2. The Request of Solomon, the Groom (4:8)
3. The Praise of the Bride’s Beauty by the Groom (4:9-11)
4. The Praise of the Bride’s Purity by the Groom (4:12-15)
5. The Consummation of the Marriage by the Bride and Groom (4:16–5:1)
III. Marriage: the Maturation of the Relationship (5:2–8:4)
A. The Problem and Resolution of Indifference (5:2–6:13)
1. Apathy and Absence (5:2-8)
2. Renewed Affection and Attractiveness (5:9-16)
3. Affirmation of Affection in the Garden (6:1-3)
4. Restoration of Intimacy (6:4-13)
B. The Expression of Maturing Love (7:1-10)
1. The Wife Is Praised for Her Beauty (7:1-6)
2. The Husband Expresses His Desire for His Wife (7:7-9a)
3. The Mutual Expression of Desire and Commitment (7:9b-10)
C. The Wife’s Longing for Intimacy (7:11–8:4)
1. Her Initiation of Intimacy (7:11-13)
2. Her Desire for Greater Intimacy (8:1-4)
IV. Conclusion (8:5-14)
A. The Strength of Love between a Husband and Wife (8:5-7)
B. The Continuing Love between Solomon and the Shulammite (8:8-14)